rAAVs, host cell contamination and ddPCR

In this episode of Talking Techniques, supported by Bio-Rad, we discuss a key component of many gene therapies: recombinant adeno-associated viruses (rAAVs) and their production. These viruses act as efficient, accurate delivery vesicles for the gene therapy’s plasmid. Speaking to Associate Director of Biopharma Product Marketing at Bio-Rad Laboratories, Mark White, we take a look the different expression systems used for their production and compare their advantages, before looking at some of the challenges involved in the production rAAVs, such as host cell contamination. Discover the tools that can help minimize host cell contamination and differentiate between nuclease resistant and nuclease reactive contaminant DNA and find out about some of the most exciting developments in rAAV technologies.   Contents:The role of rAAVs in gene therapies: 00:40-02:15 The production of rAAVs and gene therapies: 02:15-03:30 Why are HEK cells so popular for cell therapy production? 03:30-05:45 HEK vs SF9 Insect cell expression systems: 05:45-06:45 Challenges in cell therapy expression systems: 06:45-08:05 Host DNA contamination: 08:05-10:30 The risks of host DNA contamination: 10:30-12:45 Key techniques to minimize host DNA contamination: 12:45-14:40 The advantages of ddPCR in gene therapy production: 14:40-17:50 Distinguishing between nuclease resistant and nuclease reactive host cell DNA: 17:50-19:10 The most exciting developments in rAAV technology: 19:10-20:20 What is one thing you would ask for to improve rAAV and gene therapy development 20:20-26:38